§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI am afraid I am going to commit the same offence; but if it is inconvenient for the noble Earl to answer the Question now, I will give Notice for to-morrow. I wish to ask, Whether it is true that General Gordon has placarded Khartoum with proclamations permitting the re-establishment of the Slave Trade, and whether it is in consequence of any authority given him by Her Majesty's Government?
§ EARL GRANVILLEMy Lords, if I give any answer whatever to the noble Marquess I hope he will not think it presumptuous in me if I point out the importance of what has been very often stated in this House, that it would be for the convenience of the Government, and the House, and the country, that due Notice should be given of such Questions. I never put Questions without Notice myself, and 1118 I have never seen it done in this House. I think the old-fashioned rule of giving Notice should be adhered to, especially when the difference of a word might have an important effect. With regard to the Question of the noble Marquess, we have received intimation of the issue of a proclamation bearing on the question of buying and selling slaves by General Gordon, but it is not exactly to the same effect as that published in the newspapers. I think your Lordships will agree that if there is one man in the United Kingdom who understands slavery, and has the unhappy condition of slaves completely at heart, it is General Gordon. Any arrangement he has made will, no doubt, be found to be one calculated in the long run to be in favour of the views which he has entertained all his life.